ESA and PIP medicals within three days of each oth

Hi all. Not sure if I'm looking for advice as such but I am making a renewed claim for ESA (currently in support group) and claiming PIP after being on DLA lower mobility and care rates. Having two claims going on at the same time has been stressful to say the least but I am in absolute shock that I am now facing two medical assesments two days apart in two different towns, and I think carried out by two different companies.

I claim primarily for mental health reasons and have had a horrendoius year, having had a full blown nervous breakdown in January (paramedics had to be called to house). I also have mobility problems due to heart related issues so all this travelling is going to take it's toll. I am always denied home visits, much to my despair.

I suppose I wand to know if anyone else has been through similar when it comes to having more than one medical in such a short space of time. It seems like it should be very unusual but maybe it's more common than I think.

Oh, and one final thing - the PIP medical is scheduled for my birthday, which seems particularly cruel. They surely would have known it's my birthday when selecting the date, since they have that information on their file about me.

I've been in the "system" for years when it comes to sickness benefits because my issues are chronic. Thought I could get through anything thrown at me but this? I'm in bits, to be honest. I will probably have to appeal each decision too, dragging it on and on.

Gordon,

Many thanks for your reply! I feel quite a bit better upon learning how the asssessment date is selected. One of my mental health issues is hypersensitivity and taking things too personally, so I just automatically assumed bad faith on the part of the DWP.

I don't think I'd be granted a home visit since I go to doctor and psychartist appointments but I feel their criteria for granting home visits is far too narrow and very unfair. They don't seem to take mental health and what these asssessments do to an ill mind into account at all. Thankfully I will have someone with me but I foresee many sleepness nights in the near future.

- Tania

Hello T

Hope u don't mind me chipping in. I had ESA and PIP assessments two days apart last week and honestly I would not recommend it. I am still floored by it, and will probably be so for another week yet. It was horrendous! If I could go back to last week I would definitely get the second one shifted (my second one was PIP). My thinking at the time was to get them both over and done with, but this reasoning has had its down side. Obvious one being I am completely wiped out mentally and physically, but the other is if you want to try remember how each assessment went and take notes it is hard not to get the two assessments mixed up. Anyway I hope whatever you decide to do, you get good favourable results from your assessments. Regards PP

Hi Tania,

Sorry to hear you're having such a stressful time. Another member, Porthole Pete had two assessments within days of each other just last week. It was horrible for him...but he did it! I'm not sure how you search for things on here, but he got a lot of support from all on here, so maybe you can find his posts somehow? I'm sure he'd talk to you about it.
A x

HI Amanda,

I see that PP sneaked in ahead of you